Protesters in New York demand release of Mahmoud Khalil

Fearless, furious and unwilling to give up, the people of New York stormed the city streets to call for the release of former Columbia University graduate and Palestinian activist, Mahmoud Khalil.

They started at the Federal Hall in Manhattan and marched across blocks to reach Union Square while chanting against the actions of ICE.

Mahmoud Khalil was arrested by ICE as he entered his apartment building, which is owned by Columbia University.

He was accompanied by his wife, who is a US citizen and is eight months pregnant and was threatened with deportation by ICE if she tried to prevent his arrest.

• New York protest against Mahmoud Khalil’s arrest
  

  New York protest against Mahmoud Khalil’s arrest

  New Yorkers protest against Mahmoud Khalil’s arrest.

Khalil is known for his role as a lead negotiator for the Gaza solidarity encampments that occurred last year on the Columbia University campus where he was a student.

ICE claimed to have detained him because his student visa had been revoked. When informed that he's a Green Card holder and a permanent resident, ICE said that that his residence permit had also been revoked.

This is blatantly unconstitutional. What they are doing to Mahmoud, the message that they are trying to send, which is a deplorable one, is that no one is protected under free speech in this country anymore.

Murad Awandeh, New York Immigration Coalition, Head

Protesters called out the Trump administration for its suppression of freedom of speech despite the US boasting that it is a beacon of freedom.

• Homeland Security agents arrest another pro-Palestinian protester from Columbia University
  

  Homeland Security agents arrest another pro-Palestinian protester from Columbia University

  The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has arrested a second student linked to pro-Palestinian protests at Columbia University as part of the Trump administration’s zero-tolerance crackdown on such activism in US universities.

A blatant violation of freedom of expression and human rights, which comes as part of the Trump executive order to capture and deport pro-Palestine Action protesters in the so-called 'act to combat anti-Semitism'.

We're here today with thousands of people from all across New York City to demand the immediate release of Mahmoud Khalil and to say we're not going to be silent in the face of these heinous attacks.

What Mahmoud was arrested for, at the heart of it, is speaking out against the genocide of the Palestinian people, and the reason that the Trump administration is so threatened by people actually speaking out for the side of justice is because the United States has been complicit from day one in the genocide of the Palestinian people.

Miriam Osman, Palestinian Youth Movement Organizer

• US government slashes $400mn in funds to Columbia University
  

  US government slashes $400mn in funds to Columbia University

  The US government has rescinded $400 million in grants allocated to Columbia University, citing the alleged need to combat “anti-Semitism” within educational institutions.

Under the current Trump administration, which many are describing as fascists, Mahmoud Khalil's arrest comes as another violation against freedom of speech, despite it being the first amendment of the American Constitution.

This is part of a broader attack ... against immigrants, against Muslims, against the Palestine, movement, against academic freedoms even with the attacks on universities, they're trying to set a legal precedent to take away these rights, all on a false, false, narrative about what we're speaking up against because ultimately, we're speaking up to end the oppression of the Palestinian people.

Miriam Osman, Palestinian Youth Movement Organizer

Although a New York judge temporarily blocked Trump's order to deport Mahmoud Khalil pending a court hearing, the protesters acknowledged that this was not out of solidarity, but out of fear that Khalid's arrest would set a dangerous precedent and bring the nation to a breaking point.

• Columbia University expels students, revokes degrees
  

  Columbia University expels students, revokes degrees over pro-Palestine protests

  Columbia University has expelled, suspended, or revoked the diplomas of students involved in the pro-Palestinian takeover of Hamilton Hall last spring.

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